Characterization of urea–formaldehyde resin penetration into medium density fiberboard fibers

The amount of UF resin penetration into fibers, used for the production of medium density fiberboard (MDF), is unknown. To evaluate the relationship between resin viscosity and resin penetration depth, an experimental procedure involving confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) and a Toluidine Blue O staining system was performed. The results indicate that CLSM in combination with a Toluidine Blue O staining system is a good way to characterize UF resin penetration into wood fibers. The main penetration direction is toward the fiber lumen. For wet fibers, whose moisture content is about 88%, the effect of resin viscosity with a range of 80 cps – 340 cps on penetration is very similar, with all adhesives reaching or almost reaching the fiber lumen after 60 min at room temperature. For MDF industrial samples, the highest depth of penetration of the adhesive was attained in the second dryer stage. After the second dryer stage, the resin penetration into the fiber did not increase.     

The ambient aging of wood fiber and its effect on mechanical properties of MDF panels

Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to study ambient-aged wood fibers and their effects on the mechanical properties of medium-density fiberboard (MDF). It was found that MDF made with ambient-aged fibers had poorer mechanical properties than MDF made with fresh fibers; this difference resulted from the alterations of surface characteristics of wood fibers after ambient aging, which led to poor wettability of the urea–formaldehyde (UF) resin applied to the aged wood fibers. After 6 months of ambient aging, the concentration of carbonyl groups in the fibers increased by 144%, while the pH value of wood fiber decreased from 5.2 to 4.7. SEM showed that much more UF resin agglomerated on the surface of ambient-aged fibers and the breakage of MDF made with aged fiber frequently occurred at the resin-fiber interfaces, indicated the poorer wettability of UF resin to fibers due to the decrease in surface energy after aging.     

Measurement of urea-formaldehyde resin distribution as a function of MDF fiber size by laser scanning microscopy

A technique has been developed to show the extent of the distribution of the adhesive on the fiber surface. This involves treatment of the resinated fibers with the dye Toluidine blue O, to quench the autofluorescence of the wood materials, to show only the fluorescence of the UF resin in the presence of the dye. The results indicate that this method is a simple and practical way to understand UF resin coverage on wood fibers. With image analysis, the adhesive has been shown to cover a small percentage (3.5%) of the fiber surface, although the percent by weight (based on wood fiber) of resin is much more (13%). The fiber size strongly affects the resin coverage ratio and the chance to collect resin droplets, but it is not significant in the resin-droplets size distribution. Decreasing the proportion of shorter fibers is beneficial in improving resin coverage uniformity. A model for calculating the resin-coverage ratio was developed. The resin coverage is about 4.8% for the resin content of 13% by the model.     

Straw-wood composites bonded with various adhesive systems

In order to study the feasibility of utilizing wheat straw as an alternative raw material for panels, experimental one-layer particleboards were produced by mixing straw with industrial wood particles in various proportions (100:0, 75:25, 50:50, 25:75, 0:100). Three different adhesive systems were used for blending the raw materials: a UF resin (E₂ grade), a PMDI resin and various UF:PMDI combinations (10:0, 8:2, 7:3, 6:4, 5:5). The evaluation of the mechanical and hygroscopic properties of panels showed the following results: Partial replacement of wood particles from straw in panels bonded with pure UF resin resulted in deterioration of all properties except linear swelling. Partial or whole substitution of wood by straw in PMDI bonded panels, improved the bending strength and all hygroscopic properties of the panels but reduced the internal bond (dry and wet) and screw holding strength, although to a much smaller degree compared to UF bonded panels. The properties of panels bonded with various UF:PMDI combinations and comprising 50% wood and 50% straw were considerably improved by increasing the PMDI content. In terms of the properties, pure straw panels or panels made of certain wood/straw mixtures, if bonded with PMDI resin or the appropriate UF:PMDI combination, can be used for specific applications where high quality panels are required according to the specifications of the related standards. Received 11 February 1998     

Migration of methylene bis thiocyanate in wood and its effect on a wood degrading fungus

The mobility and concentrations of methylene bis thiocyanate (MBT) at different depths of wood billets (200 mm long, 40 mm in diameter) of Pinus radiata were determined using NMR spectroscopy and ICP-ASE. Results were then correlated with the effect of wood MBT concentrations on growth of O. floccosum in a bioassay using stereomicroscopy and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). The ¹³C NMR spectra showed the presence or the absence of MBT in wood but it was unable to detect small concentrations. ICP-ASE, however produced quantitative data across the depth (40 mm) of the wood billets tested. Within 7 days of storage, MBT penetrated from surface to pith but showed significantly higher concentrations of MBT in surface wood compared to pith wood. Present study highlighted the benefit of using CLSM for fungal detection in wood. The information obtained from ICP-ASE and CLSM analysis suggested to inhibit growth of O. floccosum, the MBT concentration needs to be >55 μg/g of dry wood. Due to its high detection capacity, ICP-ASE is identified as an excellent tool for MBT detection and quantification in wood.     

Property of nano-SiO2/urea formaldehyde resin

In this paper, we discuss the effects of a nanometer silicon dioxide (nano-SiO₂) coupling agent, dispersal methods and the amount of nano-SiO₂/urea formaldehyde resin. The results of our study indicate that when nano-SiO₂, using KH-550 silane as a coupling agent, was added to UF resin by discontinuous ultrasonic vibration, its properties improved effectively. When the content of nano-SiO₂ was below 1.5%, the amount of free formaldehyde decreased, and the viscosity and bonding strength of resin increased with an increase in the added nano-SiO₂, which did not prolong the curing time. The performance indices of plywood, particleboard and medium density fiberboard (MDF), hot-pressed by nano-SiO2 (1%)/UF resin (F/U molar ratio=1.2), exceeded the requirements of the National Standard. Their free formaldehyde emission reached E1 grade. Finally, we analyzed the mechanism of the strengthening effects of nano-SiO₂ on UF resin by means of infrared spectrum analysis and X-ray photoelectronic spectrum (XPS). __________ Translated from Scientia Silvae Sinicae, 2005, 41(2) [译自: 林业科学, 2005, 41(2)]     

Chemical modification and wetting of medium density fibreboard panels produced from fibres treated with maleated polypropylene wax

Medium density fibreboard (MDF) was produced from fibres treated with maleated polypropylene wax. The objectives of this study were to investigate the effect of fibre treatment with maleated polypropylene wax on the advancing and receding contact angle and wicking of MDF panels by the Wilhelmy plate method; to verify the chemical reactions occurring between fibres and maleated polypropylene wax by infrared spectroscopy, and to verify if there are relationships with the water absorption of panels. Three maleated polypropylene wax contents (0, 3, 5%) and two resin types (urea–formaldehyde, UF and melamine–urea–formaldehyde, MUF) were considered in this study. Our results showed that the treatment increased the advancing contact angle of panels bonded with UF resin. The receding contact angles of MDF panels produced from treated fibres with 5% maleated polypropylene wax content were also increased by the treatment. Also, the wicking was reduced by the treatment independent of the maleated polypropylene wax content. Reductions of the wicking were 59% for panels bonded with UF resin and 73% for panels bonded with MUF. Relationships between the wicking and water absorption were observed. Chemical analysis realized by infrared spectroscopy did not detect the presence of an esterification reaction between wood fibres and anhydride groups of the maleated polypropylene wax. This suggests, therefore, that an esterification reaction did not take place or that chemical modifications were so small that they are not visible by infrared spectroscopy.     

稻草原料表面特性FTIR和XPS分析

运用红外光谱(IR)和X射线光电子能谱分析(XPS)法，考察了热磨处理对稻草表面特性的影响。结果表明：稻草秸秆内表面的活性基团数量和氧碳元素百分比都明显高于外表面；经热磨处理，稻草纤维表面的羟基、甲基、亚甲基等官能团含量显著增加，氧碳元素百分比相对秸秆表面有大幅度提高，证明热磨处理能增强稻草表面活性，为脲醛树脂稻草中纤板制造的技术可行性提供了依据。     

The influence of silane coupling agent and poplar particles on the wet-tability,surface roughness,and hardness of UF-bonded wheat straw （Triticum aestivum L.）/poplar wood particleboard

We used silane coupling agents to improve the bonding ability between wheat straw particles and UF resin, and investigated surface properties （wettability and surface roughness） and hardness of parti-cleboard made from UF-bonded wheat straw （Triticum aestivum L.） combined with poplar wood as affected by silane coupling agent content and straw/poplar wood particle ratios. We manufactured one-layered particleboard panels at four different ratios of straw to poplar wood par-ticles （0%, 15%, 30% and 45% wheat straw） and silane coupling agent content at three levels of 0, 5% and 10%. Roughness measurements, average roughness （Ra）, mean peak-to-valley height （Rz）, and root mean square roughness （Rq） were measured on unsanded samples by using a fine stylus tracing technique. We obtained contact angle measurements by using a goniometer connected to a digital camera and computer sys-tem. Boards containing greater amounts of poplar particles had superior hardness compared to control samples and had lower wettability. Panels made with higher amounts of silane had lower Rq values.     

纳米二氧化硅/脲醛树脂性能的研究

探讨纳米SiO2 表面处理、加入方式、用量对纳米SiO2 脲醛树脂性能的影响。结果表明 :采用KH - 5 5 0硅烷偶联剂处理纳米SiO2 表面 ,用间歇式超声波震荡法将其加入脲醛树脂中 ,能有效改善树脂性能。当纳米SiO2 用量 <1 5 %时 ,用量越大 ,树脂的胶合强度越高 ,游离甲醛含量越低 ,粘度越大 ,固化时间不变。用纳米SiO2 (用量1% ) 脲醛树脂 (F U摩尔比 1 2 )压制胶合板、刨花板、中密度纤维板 ,板的各项性能指标都超过国家标准要求 ,甲醛释放量达到E1 级水平。同时 ,通过红外光谱和X射线光电子能谱初步探索了纳米SiO2 对脲醛树脂的增强机制     

浅析木材酸性及其对MDF生产的影响

本文对福州人造板厂生产用木片的ｐＨ值、缓冲性能及其对ＵＦ胶固化时间的影响进行了研究，结果表明：木片的ｐＨ值与缓冲性能是影响ＵＦ胶固化的重要因素，煮沸回流后的木片ｐＨ值与ＵＦ胶的固化时间相关性最大；在ｐＨ值相近的情况下，木粉与胶的混合物固化时间随木材缓冲性能的增加而缩短；树皮对胶固化的阻碍大大超过相同ｐＨ值的木材；作为主要原料的马尾松，其地域不同、ｐＨ值不同而呈现出对ＵＦ胶固化的影响也不同。     

测定胶在刨花表面上覆盖率和胶量的方法

一、前言在刨花板中,胶粘剂是以细小的胶滴分布在刨花表面上,刨花表面胶滴的大小和分布的均匀对刨花板的质量至关重要。自1960年以来,胶在刨花表面的分布问题逐渐为人们所重视,并且开展了测定方法的研究。据报道,测定方法大致有几种。各种测定方法是以测定胶的覆盖率或胶量来量度刨花表面胶的分布均匀性。并且受刨花几何形态和刨花大小的限制。本文提出图象法,是将试样或标准件用彩色反转片照相,把试样转变为图象,应用微机图象处理法测定刨花表面胶的覆盖率。对测定覆盖率后的图象进一步使用分光光度计测定图象的光密     

Improvement of wood properties by urea-formaldehyde resin and nano-SiO2

In order to improve wood properties of triploid clones of Populus tomentosa, urea-formaldehyde (UF) resin was compounded with nano-SiO₂, coupling agents and flame retardants in different ways to prepare five kinds of modifiers. The poplar wood samples were impregnated with the modifiers and heated to prepare UF-SiO₂-wood composites. The antiswelling efficiency, resistance of water absorption, oxygen index and hardness of the composites were measured. Results show that all of the modifiers reduced water absorption of poplar wood and enhanced flame resistance and hardness. Nano-SiO₂ showed a marked effect in improving the hardness of wood. In addition, all of the modifiers, except UF-C-SiO₂-polymer, improved the dimensional stability of poplar wood. The UF resin and nano-SiO₂ compound improved general properties of poplar wood. __________ Translated from Journal of Beijing Forestry University, 2006, 28(2): 123–128 [译自: 北京林业大学学报]     

微波等离子处理对脲醛胶性能的影响

脲醛树脂胶粘剂是木材加工领域应用最广泛的胶粘剂,在保障其胶合性能的前提下降低脲醛胶的甲醛释放量是社会关注的焦点和难点。通过试验,研究不同的微波等离子处理方法对脲醛树脂胶粘剂的固化时间、适用期、胶合强度、游离甲醛含量的影响。试验结果表明:等离子处理对脲醛树脂胶粘剂的固化时间和适用期的影响不明显;合适的等离子处理条件可以改善脲醛胶的胶合性能;与未经等离子处理脲醛胶相比,等离子处理后脲醛胶的游离甲醛含量显著降低。     

Utilization of pine (Pinus pinea L.) cone in manufacture of wood based composite

Physical and mechanical properties of medium density fiberboards (MDF) made from various mixtures of wood fibers and stone pine (Pinus pinea L.) cones were evaluated using European standards. MDF panels were manufactured using standardized procedures that simulated industrial production at the laboratory. Six panel types were made from mixtures of wood fiber/cone flour, 100/0, 90/10, 80/20, 70/30, 60/40, and 50/50 percents, respectively. Addition of the cone flour into the MDF significantly reduced formaldehyde emission from the panel. In addition, the addition of 10% cone flour also improved water resistance of the MDF panels made using urea–formaldehyde (UF) resin. However, further addition of the cone flour into the panel negatively influenced their water resistance. Flexural properties and internal bond strength decreased with the increase of cone flour content in the panel. The UF resin is the main source of formaldehyde emission from the UF-bonded wood-based panels. Depending on addition of the cone flour in the panels, the formaldehyde emission values ranged from 2.6% to 55.3% lower than the panels made from 100% wood fiber. Based on the findings obtained from this study, pine cone can be used as a renewable biological formaldehyde catcher as an alternative to the traditional formaldehyde catchers for E1 Class MDF manufacture.     

改性脲醛树脂胶低密度稻壳-木材复合材料制造工艺的研究

采用异氰酸酯(ISO)改性的脲醛树脂胶制造低密度稻壳-木材复合材料。稻壳与木质刨花的混合比例为1:1,施胶量为7%,试验结果表明,异氰酸酯改性的脲醛树脂胶黏剂适用于低密度稻壳-木材复合材料,其物理力学性能明显优于使用传统的脲醛树脂胶黏剂。低密度稻壳-木材复合材料的物理力学性能随着改性剂异氰酸酯用量的增加而提高。密度是稻壳-木材复合材料物理力学性能的重要影响因素,低密度稻壳-木材复合材料的物理力学性能随着密度的增加而提高。在设定密度为0.45g/m~3和0.5g/cm~3的条件下,3:4的ISO/UF的稻壳-木材复合材料的物理力学性能均达到日本刨花板工业标准(JIS A5908)的要求。     

热固性树脂真空加压浸注工艺条件的研究

以西南桦和械木为研究对象，探索不同种类的热固性树脂和不同浸注条件与树脂浸入量和改性材尺寸稳定性的关系。研究结果表明，不同树脂，甚至同一树脂对不同树种的木材具有不同的浸注性，其浸入量随加压浸注时间的延长而增加；木材心边材对树脂的接收能力有所不同；木材性能的改善程度因树种和树脂浸入量而异。     

UF/PDMI组合胶黏剂在刨花板生产中的应用

采用脲醛树脂(UF)/聚合异氰酸酯(PDMI)组合胶黏剂,以不同的组合配比在较低热压温度(160℃)条件下用高含水率(9.0%)杂木刨花制备刨花板,检测其静曲强度、内结合强度以及2h和24h吸水厚度膨胀率。结果表明:聚合异氰酸酯(PDMI)的引入,可以显著提高刨花板的物理力学性能和耐水性能;将刨花终含水率提高至9.0%可节约刨花干燥能耗达13.0%以上;与脲醛树脂胶黏剂(UF)相比,使用PDMI/UF配比为1∶9的(10.0wt%PDMI)组合胶黏剂可以提高刨花板静曲强度80%,提高内结合强度150%;在不添加防水剂的条件下,可以将板材的2h吸水厚度膨胀率由31.0%提高至21.0%。该研究可为刨花板节能环保生产提供新思路。     

基于纳米压痕技术的木材胶合界面力学行为

【目的】研究木材胶合界面的静态和动态力学行为,探讨树脂渗透对木材管胞壁层力学性能的影响,为木质复合材料制造工艺优化和增强改性提供理论依据。【方法】采用纳米压痕静态和动态力学测试技术(Nano-DMA),对针叶材火炬松与酚醛树脂(PF)、脲醛树脂(UF)胶黏剂所形成胶合界面区域各相材料的静态弹性模量、硬度、蠕变性能以及储能模量和损耗模量等力学行为进行分析。【结果】静态力学行为方面,在界面区域,PF和UF渗透进入管胞壁层后,木材管胞壁的弹性模量( E r)和硬度( H )提高;经PF渗透后,木材管胞壁的 E r和 H 分别增加7%和26%;Burgers蠕变力学模型可有效描述胶合界面区域管胞壁的纳米压痕蠕变特性,经树脂渗透后,木材管胞壁的瞬时弹性模量增加,黏弹性模量和黏性系数减小;在保载初期,PF界面区域木材管胞壁的蠕变柔量约下降60%,UF界面区域木材管胞壁的蠕变柔量约下降58%。动态力学行为方面,随着加载频率增加,界面材料的储能模量( E ′ r)逐渐增大,而损耗模量( E ″ r)和损耗因子(tan δ)呈减小趋势;当加载频率为10 Hz时,PF和UF树脂渗透使得管胞壁层的储能模量分别增加16%和29%。【结论】胶合界面区域胶黏剂进入管胞壁层,对木材管胞的静态力学性能具有增强作用,同时胶黏剂可提高管胞壁的短期抗蠕变能力;木材管胞壁具有较高的储能模量和损耗模量,而树脂的储能模量和损耗模量较低,经树脂渗透后,木材管胞壁的储能模量增加,但损耗模量和损耗因子呈下降趋势,可能对界面传递和分散应力产生不利影响。     

Compressive deformation of phenol formaldehyde (PF) resin-impregnated wood related to the molecular weight of resin

The effects of molecular weight of PF resin on the deformation behaviour of NaClO₂ treated resin-impregnated wood during compression were investigated. Blocks of Japanese cedar were subjected to 2% NaClO₂ aqueous solution. This was repeated up to four times resulting in a weight loss of 28%. Treated and untreated samples were impregnated with PF resin having different molecular weight. With increasing molecular weight, weight gain and volume gain decreased for untreated PF resin-impregnated wood, while NaClO₂ treated wood impregnated with high molecular weight PF resin showed almost double the weight gain compared to untreated condition. NaClO₂ treatment has shown considerable potential for high compression of PF resin-impregnated wood at lower pressing pressure regardless of the molecular weight of the resin. Low to high molecular weight resin was shown to penetrate into NaClO₂ treated wood as estimated by weight gain contributing to the plasticization of cell wall considerably and thus resulting in cell wall collapse at low pressing pressure. The density of NaClO₂ treated wood impregnated with high molecular weight resin attained a value of over 0.8 g/cm³ which is close to the density of untreated wood impregnated with low molecular weight resin. Such compressed wood exhibited high dimensional stability after boiling for 3 h. Thus, the penetration of resin into wood contributes to highly compressed dimensional stable resin-impregnated wood at low pressing pressure.